"He is the best and dearest of fathers," she said, affectionately.
George Jernam asked if Captain Duncombe had been in England during that
spring in which Valentine met his death.
After a moment's reflection, Rosamond replied in the affirmative.
"I remember his coming to see me that spring," she said. "He came early
in March, and again in April, and it was then he began first to talk of
settling in England."
"And with that assurance my last hope vanishes," thought George.
He had asked the question in the faint hope of hearing that Joseph
Duncombe was far away from England at the time of the murder.
A fortnight after the discovery of the Brazilian coin, George Jernam
announced to his wife that he was about to leave her. He was going to
the coast of Africa, he said. He had tried to reconcile himself to a
landsman's life, and had found it unendurable.
The blow fell very heavily on poor Rosamond's loving heart.
"We seemed so happy, George, only two short weeks ago," she pleaded.
"Yes," he answered, "I tried to be happy; but you see, the life doesn't
suit me. Tour father couldn't rest in this house, though he had made
himself such a comfortable home. No more can I rest here. There is a
curse upon the house, perhaps," he added, with a bitter laugh.
Rosamond burst into tears.
"Oh, George, you will break my heart," she cried.
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